Speaking to the spirit of women Lyah Beth LeFlore stages her mother’s poetry at Missouri History Museum.
Page B1
Vol. 84 No. 6
CAC Audited MAY 9 – 15, 2013
COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
From Bryan Cave to 6th grade Chris Shelton is Teacher of the Year By Rebecca S. Rivas Of The St. Louis American
Chris Shelton
When Chris Shelton went to law school, her family teased her that she’d be the only lawyer to turn into a kindergarten teacher. They weren’t too far off. Two years ago, Shelton decided to enter the Teach for America program after practicing commercial litigation with Bryan Cave
Becoming a mothering metropolis
for four years. She became a sixth-grade math teacher at Westview Middle School in the Riverview Gardens School District. And this year, she was named the district’s Teacher of the Year. “My true passion in life is helping children,” she said. “I absolutely love forming relationships
“My true passion in life is helping children.” – Chris Shelton, Westview Middle School
See SHELTON, A7
Park players
Awardee Duane Moore, M.D.
Awardee Lauren Pommert, M.D.
SLU medicine rewards diversity
St. Louis needs infrastructure, equity and advocacy
Medical students recognized at 2013 John H. Gladney Awards
By The Rev. Starsky D. Wilson For The St. Louis American
By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American
On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the hand of God at work in our lives through the nurturing presence of a parent. As one of the 40 percent of Americans born to a single mom, this day means a great deal to me. But as the leader of a local philanthropy committed to serving our community’s most impoverished children, it disturbs me. It causes me to question our fitness as a “mothering” metropolitan community. The Kids What is Count in lacking is Missouri report released last a civic month suggests infrastructure we may not have to deliver for earned our the children in Mother’s Day flowers. The the greatest report – supportneed. ed by the Annie E. Casey – The Rev. Foundation and Starsky D. produced by Wilson Partnership for Children, Missouri Children’s Trust Fund and the University of Missouri Office for Social and Economic Data Analysis – reveals a glaring disparity in the well-being of children in the St. Louis metropolitan region. St. Louis city ranks dead last among the state’s 115 counties in the composite ranking of economic well-being, health, safety and education. Meanwhile, three surrounding – and more affluent – coun-
Diversity is the right thing to do. That was the message of the 13th annual John H. Gladney Diversity Awards, held May 2 by the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. “It’s been exciting for me to look into all the medical students’ eyes and what I see is their futures as physicians and what they will do for society,” said Michael Railey, M.D., associate dean, Office of Multicultural Affairs at SLU School of Medicine. The awards are given annually to fourth-year
See ST. LOUIS, A6
See SLU, A6
Macedonia Baptist Church turns 150 First black church in East St. Louis turns a century and a half By Erica Van Buren For The St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price
Samir Neeley, 2, and Cortney Gibson, 4, played at the Grand Basin in Forest Park just downhill from the Saint Louis Art Museum on Tuesday afternoon. St. Louis weather finally started feeling like spring this week with temperatures in the upper 70s.
In November of 1863, the first black church was built in East St. Louis at what is now 10 South Norman E. Owens Place – then, the First Colored Baptist Church, and 150 years later in a newly built red brick building, Macedonia Baptist Church. The Rev. Norman E. Owens has been pastor of Macedonia for the past 46 years. Many of the church’s faithful go back decades. “March 10 marked 37 years as a member of Macedonia. It has been an integral part of my life
See CHURCH, A7